Phlebotomy gun



Patented Feb. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES ALBERT CAINE MORROW, OF DILLON, MONTANA! PHLEBOTOMY GUN Application filed May 20,

This invention relates to surgical instrulnents and more particularly to what are termed phlebotomy guns.

A primary object of the invention is to provide an instrument of this character constructed to quickly and forcibly insert a bleeding needle into a vein the puncture depth of which may be regulated to meet necessary requirements.

In carrying out these objects, the invention is susceptible of a wide range of modification without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the claimed invention; there being shown in the drawings for illustrative purposes a preferred, and practical form, in which:

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of an instrument embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view taken at right .a angles to Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation taken on the side opposite to that shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of the gun, and

2:, Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

In the embodiment illustrated the gum constituting this invention comprises a tubula r body or barrel member 1 provided with a an concave front closure 3 and a removable rear closure 4 the latter being preferably threaded into the barrel 1 as shown in Fig. 4. These closi'lres 3 and 4 are apertured as shown at 3a and 4a respectively for the passage there :55 through of the needle 10 and the apertures are of a sufficient size to permit the needle to slide trcely through them.

The barrel 1 is provided in its opposite side walls with longitudinally extending slots 6 and 7 arranged diametrically opposite each other and each of which is equipped with a laterally extending arm 8 at its upper or rear end by means of which the needle 10 is locked in retracted position as will be presently more fully described.

Mounted to slide in the barrel 1 is a plunger 11 through which the needle 10 passes and to which said needle is designed to be adj ustably secured by the set screw 9 which extends through slot 6 in the side wall of 1930. Serial a... 454,030.

the barrel to engage theneedle and hold it in adjusted position. ()n the oppositeside of the plunger 11 is a finger 12 designed to cooperate with a similar finger 13 carried by the other end of the barrel at the opposite side thereof to retract the plunger. These fingers are curved in opposite directions, one being designed for engagement by the forefinger of the user and the other by the thumb 1 for rectracting the plunger llcarrying the needle 10 against the tension of a coiled spring 14 which is mounted in the barrel 1 between the plunger 11 and the opposed closure 4 as shown clearly in Fig. 4.

It will thus be seen that normally the needle 10 is held in the recess formed by the concave outer face of closure 3, the screw 9 and the finger 12 being engaged with the lateral extensions or branches 8 of the slots 6 and 7.

To obtain a blood sample from any animal or a human the proper sized needle having been secured in the plunger according to the depth of the puncture to be made, the gun is placed with the needle point contacting the animals skin. The plunger is then released by disengaging screw 9 and finger 12 from the slot extensions 8. \Vhen so released the plunger carrying the needle will shoot forward under the action of spring 14: and cause the needle to penetrate the walls of the vein desired to be tapped. The blood from the vein flows into the needle 10 and when the latter is withdrawn from the animal the blood in the needle is available for testing or other purposes.

The needle may be disassembled for cleaning or repairs by unscrewing the closure 4 which is preferably knurled for this purpose.

It will be seen that the gun is simple and 0 easily operated and cleaned rendering it usable by persons of moderate means and limited knowledge.

Without further description it is thought that the features and. advantages of the in vention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and it will, of course, be understood that changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or its scope as claimed.

I claim:

A phlebotomy gun comprising a barrel provided at one end with a removable closure and at its other end with a concave closure. the latter forming a needle point housing, said closures being apertured for the passage of a needle, longitudinal slots in the walls of said barrel, a plunger. mounted in said barrel having a needle aperture, a set screw extending through one of said barrel slots and said plunger into the path of the needle to secure it in adjusted position relatively to the plunger, a finger extending laterally from said plunger through the other barrel slot, a laterally projecting finger carried by the rear end of said barrel on the side opposite the first mentioned finger to cooperate therewith for retracting the plunger, and a spring between said plunger and said rear closure which is compressed on the retraction of the plunger, and means to hold the plunger in retracted position against the tension of the spring.

ALBERT CAINE MORROW. 

